, 1887-12-09
COMMENT On THE MESSAGE.

Except in the very hot beds of protec-
ton centers the recent message of Presi-
lent Cleveland is freely accorded the dis
%tinction of being an honest document.
almost totally devoid of the hoodwinking
phraseology which is recognized as part of
the professional politicians stock in trade.
The weak spots of the message in Repub
lican eyes are found in its raw free trade
ism, as il is characterized, and the effect
which it is alleged to make to exaggerate
credit for effecting a cure. The state.
ment that it advocates rank free tradeism
Is c%ontroYerted by the document itself;
the question of the exaggeration of the f.
%nancial situation leaves room for doubt in
the minds of men who are eminently quail.
flied to Judge.
1t is also asserted that there is nothing
really new in the document, but many
people have heretofore gone forth and
confidently asserted that there is nothing
really new under the sun. And yet a sub
iect so complicated that many intelligent
men frankly confess they know nothing
about it, he places SO clearly and COM
prehensivelv that he who run may read
and understand.
In order to give an idea of the prevail
cnt press opinions we submit a few Sc
lected indiscrimately:
The New York Post Qnd.) says the
message is the most courageous document
that has been sent from the executive
mansion since the close of the war. 1t
III esemnel public discussion in congress.
1t will supply parties with an issue that
they have long needed. 1--WE have no
doubt the presidents party will sustain
him
The Ermng SIM Dem says: at
does not often happen that a presidents
message takes so little space to say so much
of consequence.
The New York Advertiser (Rep.) says it
is a plain, frank, definite proposition, and
comes like a fresh breeze on a sultry day.
1t sweeps away cant, lifts up a banner and
challenges to combat. 1t will have a de-
cisive weight in the future of parties and
Of legislation.
The Mail and Express (Rep.) SAYS:
The president has named the issue for
e years campaign. He has taken a
courageous stand, and we sincerely trust
his party will uphold him. He has put
the Democrats fairly on the free trade
platform. The Republican party has
nothing to complain of. Neither work
ingmcn nor manufacturers will DE de-
cciyed by glittering generalities. The
next campaign will be a battle between
protection and free trade, with the chances
largely in favor CT the Republicans
The World (Dem.) says: The presl-
dent has champtoned the cause of the
long overburdened taxpayers. And he
has supplied his party with what it has
long lacked-an issue and leader
The Cincinnati Enquirer says: How
ever widely some of the members of his
own party may differ with him, they can
not accuse him of circumlocution or OBJ
security. He presents arguments which
are familiar to students of the tariff ques
ton, but in more explicit terms than our
our polite and cautious public men ordi
narly employ. His message will com.
mand more attention than such docu-
nents usually do. His earnestness on the
subject is a comforting augury OF his in
tention to approve any ialr adjustment of
the revenue that congress may propose,
even If it is not in full agreement with
the plan which he outlines"